Court staff, police help teach bike riding

The iCan Bike Camp came to Bismarck Aug. 5-9 and a number of South Central Judicial District and Bismarck Police Department staff volunteered time to assist individuals in learning to ride two-wheel bicycles.

The program formerly known as “Losing the Training Wheels” is designed to help people with disabilities learn to ride without the assistance of training wheels, thereby increasing levels of independence.

Roxane Romanick, spouse of SCJD District Judge – Bruce Romanick, and chair of the Designer Genes program was instrumental in coordinating the program coming to Bismarck. The iCan Bike program is a component of the iCan Shine organization and implements a nationally recognized method for teaching special needs participants how to ride on two-wheel bikes.

The week began with an orientation session on Sunday evening, teaching volunteers the goals and techniques of the program. Then each of the next five days for 1.5 hours, staff members were assigned to work with camp participants – beginning the week inside the VFW ice arena, and as the participants skills progressed, eventually moving to an outside location where many of the campers were riding on two wheels. Overall it was a fantastic experience for the campers and the volunteers. Many were riding independently by the end of the week.

The volunteers get instruction from the camp coordinator prior to beginning the day's practice session.

Lisa Soma, SCJD Court Reporter, works with Abby to get the feel of riding on two-wheels.

Jackie Pressley and Tom Lamphear of Juvenile Court work with Lium to learn the “start” position.

Tom Lamphear guides Lium with the special handle attached to the starter bike.

Judge Bruce Romanick and his son Nick work with a camp participant to learn balance prior to moving outside.

Assistant Court Administrator Ross Munns works with Katie, who turned 9-years old midweek, and had always wanted to learn two-wheel biking – by Thursday of the practice week Katie could circle the parking lot “solo” and on two-wheels.

Leah (left) and Nicole Hoekstra work with Riley to help him learn balance and the starting position.